What type of pollution does the exhaust pipe of a car emit?

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As is well known, gases that emit the tubes from escape of vehicles are one of the main causes of the increase in emissions, specifically of greenhouse gases, responsible for the advance of climate change. Regardless of whether it is a diesel or gasoline car, the smoke from the exhaust pipe is caused by the combustion of the mixture of air and fuel and both elements are those that enter the chamber. combustion in different proportions that, among other factors, will depend on the type of engine.

The air / fuel ratio has an influence on the emission of polluting gases, among other hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO). Previously, the harmful lead was also included. At Ecologista Verde, we answer the question of what kind of pollution emits the exhaust pipe of a car.

Emission control

The motor is unable to control percentages of air and fuel entering the combustion chamber. In order to control the mixture in minimally modern cars, a sensor is introduced to regulate what goes into the engine.

Located at the outlet of the engine's exhaust manifold, its objective is to analyze the exhaust gases by constantly sending information to the electronic management of the engine to be able to adjust the proportions of the mixture according to what the operation of the vehicle demands. Of course, except for scandals like Volkswagen, always within the limits set by the regulations.

Given what the German group emissions fraud has brought us, this self-regulation can act for or against environmental pollution and, therefore, public health.

Be that as it may, even less cars pollutants that use conventional fuel contain a high percentage of components harmful, such as those mentioned. While it is true that, as long as we are not facing a breakdown or anomaly, less than two percent of the gases are harmful, they are tremendously harmful, so their control is a priority in environmental policies. Although, of course, it should be much more so.

Without entering the dramatic Global warming, exhaust gases are a serious health threat. Tropospheric ozone, the result of the reaction between sunlight, nitrogen dioxide and hydrocarbons emitted by cars and industries, is very dangerous for health.

When we breathe it in, our lung function reduces and the risks of suffering from respiratory diseases increase. In turn, the particles that enter our body through the lungs pass into the bloodstream, with what this means for the worsening of chronic and cardiovascular diseases, among many others.

In fact, the WHO continues to warn about the many premature deaths caused by this type of disease. pollution. In turn, this type of "bad" ozone, which belongs to the group of "secondary pollution", since it is not produced directly, also damages the environment.

Gasoline engines

The polluting gases emitted by gasoline engines are carbon monoxide (CO), unburned hydrocarbons (HC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx) and carbon dioxide or CO2, a powerful greenhouse gas.

Let's advance that, in general, gasoline cars pollute less than diesel cars, but obviously more than a hybrid or electric car.

However, this is not always the case. As is often the case everywhere, exceptions exist and as such confirm the rule. In this case, as an example we will cite the curious conclusion of a study by TÜV Nord, in which it is stated that the gasoline engines Modern direct injection models emitted up to ten times more pollutants than diesel ones.

Diesel engines

In a diesel engine, the exhaust gases are mainly nitrogen oxides (NOx), unburned hydrocarbons (HC), monoxide from carbon (CO), carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide (Cox), aldehydes and soot microparticles (Mp) from coal.

The proportion of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are considerably lower than in the exhaust gases produced by the gasoline engine, although the NOx is higher than that of the gasoline engine.

NOx react with volatile organic compounds (VOC) from the atmosphere to produce smog, which shoots up on hot, sunny days. Its effects on the environment (for example, they are responsible for acid rain) and health have made many headlines, especially because of the negative reports that scientists spread.

According to EPA claims, smog can worsen the effects of numerous pathologies, such as bronchitis, pulmonary emphysema and asthma, especially in people with low defenses, such as children, the sick and the convalescent.

What pollutes more, diesel or gasoline?

The study "Urban air quality, health and road traffic" carried out by the Institut de Ciènces de la Terra Jaume Almera clearly concludes that diesel vehicles quadruple the pollution of comparable gasoline vehicles.

Consume less fuel it does not mean polluting less. On the contrary, its pollution is heavier, that is, it rises less, in addition to emitting much higher levels of NO2 and suspended particles that we inhale. Of course, the diesels of the nineties were more harmful, but technology still has a long way to go to reduce emissions to make them compatible with more livable cities and, finally, with a healthier environment.

If you want to read more articles similar to What type of pollution does the exhaust pipe of a car emit?, we recommend that you enter our Pollution category.

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